All I can say is that I first encountered English trad songs, as a child, in an English Junior school, in the 1950s. I responded to them instantly. I vividly remember hating music lessons, being scared of the teacher but loving those songs. The Somerset version (Emma Overd's, I think) of 'The Raggle Taggle Gypsies' made a huge impression on my infant psyche and it's had great significance for me ever since.
It just goes to show that even unsavoury gits like my Junior School music teacher can't diminish the power of our wonderful trad. songs. Bring them back into the school curriculum I say!